Adder seen in North Yorkshire in first sighting of 2026

The reptile was seen on March 10, 2026, with the sighting coming as the species begins to emerge from hibernation during the early spring sunshine.

The sighting was made by Jim France, who sent in the photos to The Northern Echo.

An adder spotted in the North York Moors (Image: JIM FRANCE)

Over the last 18 months, multiple encounters with adders have been reported across County Durham, Tyne and Wear and North Yorkshire, with wildlife photographers, walkers and nature enthusiasts spotting the elusive reptiles in rural locations.

Experts say the sightings are expected at this time of year as warmer temperatures encourage adders to leave their winter hibernation sites and bask in the sun.

Where adders have been spotted

Reports and photographic evidence have recorded adders in a number of rural locations across the region, including:

• Rookhope, Weardale – Spotted on May 1 by Jake Lawson, a member of the Northern Echo Camera Club.
• Fatfield, Gateshead – Wildlife enthusiast Robert Wells reported a sighting near a fishing pond.
• Derwent Reservoir, near Consett – Christopher Bennett captured an image of an adder basking in the heather.
• Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve – Durham Wildlife Trust volunteer Malcolm Wilkinson regularly spots them while helping with habitat conservation.
• Pine Woods, Frosterley – A dog was bitten after disturbing an adder in the grass.
• Hamsterley Forest – Dora the dachshund was bitten after sniffing through the grass along a trail.

The latest North Yorkshire sighting highlights that the species continues to thrive in suitable habitats across the region.

An adder spotted in the North York Moors (Image: JIM FRANCE)

Adders favour environments such as heathland, moorland and woodland edges, landscapes common across the North East and North Yorkshire.

What to know about adders

Adders are generally shy and reclusive and will usually move away if disturbed.

They are identifiable by their distinctive zig-zag pattern along the back and typically grow between 50 and 80cm long. Some adders are melanistic, meaning they appear almost entirely black.

Although the snakes are venomous, experts say they pose little danger to humans when left alone.

Most bites occur when the animal is accidentally stepped on or handled.

Adder bites can cause pain and swelling and may require medical attention, particularly for young children, elderly people or pets.

Adders are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are listed as a priority species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Conservation groups urge members of the public not to harm the snakes and to report sightings to local wildlife organisations to help monitor populations.

Volunteers, including those from Durham Wildlife Trust, continue to work to protect habitats that support the species.

Advice for walkers and dog owners

With adders becoming more active as the weather warms, experts advise people visiting rural areas to take precautions:

• Stick to marked paths where possible
• Be cautious in sunny, grassy or heathland areas
• Keep dogs on a lead in known adder habitats during spring and summer
• Never attempt to handle or approach a snake
• Anyone bitten by an adder should seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.